Boeing cuts off 737 MAX flights to investigate engine flaw

May 11, 2017

Boeing’s new iconic 737 MAX 9 successfully flew for the first time on April 13, 2017. The aircraft was airborne for two hour and 13 minutes and it went through series of testing such as shutting down and restarting the engines one at a time, analyzing flap settings and cycling the landing gear.

The company halted flight operation of 737 MAX aircraft after being notified by engine supplier CFM International about a “quality concern” in low pressure turbine discs inside Leap-1B engines.

Boeing said they were working with CFM to inspect the discs in question. The company has already flown its 737 MAX 8 powered by 27,000lb thrust Leap-1B engines for more than 2000 hours.

The Max has accumulated 3,714 orders before its commercial debut but is still racing to catch up to Airbus’s A320neo. The latest 737 model is slated to be handed over this month to Malindo Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. Other major customers with deliveries this year include Southwest Airlines and American Airlines Group Inc.

Boeing has claimed to supply the delivery within scheduled time after solving the engine issue.